Bengal government makes COVID-19 test mandatory for arrivals from 4 states

The West Bengal government has made the COVID-19 test mandatory for entry into the state from Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and Telangana. Passengers travelling in flights from these states need to produce negative COVID-19 reports at the airport.
 

According to a notification issued by the health department, passengers should undergo RT-PCR tests within 72 hours of the flight departure.

The Bengal government has decided that from February 27, all passengers coming to the state from the four states shall mandatorily carry a COVID negative RT-PCR report.
 

On Wednesday (February 24), state health secretary Harikrishna Dwivedi said in a directive, "It is mandatory for people arriving by flight from Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and Telangana to show their RT-PCR test reports from 12 noon on February 26. 
 

“Only if the report is negative will there be an opportunity to enter the state. If the test report is more than 72 hours old from the time of departure, it will not work,” he added.

Amid a spike in coronavirus infections in Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and Telangana, the Bengal government does not want COVID-19 to re-emerge in the state ahead of polls. Therefore, COVID-19 test is made mandatory as a precaution. However, passengers from other states will be able to enter West Bengal without any test.